2. Eco-systemic theory
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3. Family Systems Theory
• Families are SYSTEMS of interconnected and
interdependent individuals.
• To understand the individual, we must
understand the family system of that individual.
People cannot be understood in isolation from
one another.
4. What does it mean to say a family is a system?
A family is greater than the
sum of its parts.
• As members of a family system
every member is interconnected.
• Think about a mobile. When one
piece moves, the whole mobile
moves. Movement of one affect the
whole system.
6. Family Systems Theory
• Within family systems theory the focus is on with
how we relate to one another. We build a
collection of interactions called a system.
• The system can be a family or a workgroup or a
collection of friends.
• Our focus is on the system rather than just on
individuals.
• With the system there are qualitatively different
elements that help determine what we are and
what we can become .
7. Family Systems Theory
• Each part of the system affects each others.
An alcoholic family member often destabilizes the family system.
The alcoholic’s unpredictability, violence, contempt, and self
focus distorts much of the family’s interaction.
The whole family must adapt to these behaviors. They do things
such as absorbing the anger, denying the effect of the alcoholics
behavior, avoiding him, and even trying to cover up the disease.
8. Family Systems Theory: Basic Elements
• The family is a structure of
related parts or subsystems.
Each action or change
affects every other person in
the family.
9. The family structure
• The family structure has elements that can only
be seen in its interactions. Individual make up a
family system. This family system is a complex
whole that cannot be understood by examining
members separately.
10. Family Roles
• Family Roles: Patterns of
interaction become ingrained
habits that make change
difficult.
11. Family Rules
• Family Rules: Each family has
certain rules that are self-
regulating and peculiar to itself.
The family is a purposeful
system; it has a goal. Usually
the goal is to remain intact as a
family.
13. Adaptation
• Adaptation: Despite resistance
to change each family system
constantly adapts to maintain
itself in response to its members
and environment.
14. Systems change
• Systems change through the family life cycle.
Changes in family systems are caused by both
nominative (predictable life cycle changes) and
non-normative (crisis) stresses.
15. Equilibrium is the condition of a system in which
competing influences are balanced.
16. • If one individual in the established system seeks
to change, other individuals in the system will
seek to resist that change and maintain the state
of equilibrium.
• The relationship between individuals is circular
or recursive.
17. Linear causation ?
Class teacher feels pupil’s behaviour Mother feels that teacher makes a
could be improved if only his mother fuss about the smallest things and
would ‘cooperate with school’ and is picking on her son. So, in
accept there is a problem. Teacher order to protect him, she
makes sure that each incident, challenges the significance of
however small, is reported home each reported incident
18. Circular (or recursive)
causation
Class teacher feels pupil’s behaviour Mother feels that teacher makes a
could be improved if only his mother fuss about the smallest things and
would ‘cooperate with school’ and is picking on her son. So, in
accept there is a problem. Teacher order to protect him, she
makes sure that each incident, challenges the significance of
however small, is reported home each reported incident
19. Overfunctioner-Underfunctioner Dyad
• One member of the couple (the overfunctioner) is very
responsible. This person wants things to be planned out. In
contrast, the other member of the couple (the underfunctioner)
may be less responsible, more fun-loving, more spontaneous,
etc.
• Imagine a married couple as they deal with finances in the family.
The overfunctioner thinks that its important to budget and to stay
within a budget. The underfunctioner thinks that sometimes you
just have to be willing to splurge and enjoy!
